President Nicolas Maduro warned on Monday of an attempt “to impose in Venezuela a coup d’etat,” following the opposition’s rejection of his re-election for a new six-year term.
Supporters of Western-backed runner up Edmundo Gonzalez have taken to the streets, claiming that vote was rigged. Protests have erupted across the country, with demonstrators toppling a statue of Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chavez, in the state of Falcon.
Maduro has alleged that the perpetrators belong to the far-right. “They are trying to impose in Venezuela a coup d’etat again of fascist and counterrevolutionary character,” Maduro said at an event at the National Electoral Council (CNE), which proclaimed him the winner of the elections
“Defeating fascism and its demons is a historic feat and our people have done it! Once again, our people have done it,” he added.
The CNE announced on Sunday that with 80% of ballots counted, Maduro had secured more than 51% of the vote, compared to 44% for his only rival Gonzales. All other oppositon canidates had withdrawn and backed the latter.
Footage showed posters of President Maduro ripped down, while tires, cars and trash were set alight.
Demonstrators reportedly tried to block highways, including one that connects the capital with Simon Bolivar International Airport.
Maduro will serve a third consecutive six-year term, having first taken office in 2013 following the death of President Hugo Chavez.
Following the vote, Venezuela’s electoral authority, which the opposition views as favoring the ruling party, did not immediately release the tallies from each of the 30,000 polling stations nationwide, according to media reports.
The US has expressed 'serious concern' with the election results, according to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Argentina has refused to recognize Maduro’s victory. In response Venezuela has recalled diplomats from Buenos Aires.
Diplomats from Chile, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay – have also been withdrawn.
Nine Latin American countries have called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) permanent council due to concerns over the election results.
Cuba, Honduras and Bolivia have welcomed the results of the election and pledged to work constructively with Maduro's next government.